Where Did St Matthew Go After the Ascension?

History, meaning and message

1. What can Scripture establish?

Matthew belonged to the Twelve. His call marks a departure from his former occupation and the beginning of a life following Jesus. The disciples received the commission to make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19–20).

But Scripture gives us neither a map of Matthew’s journeys nor a reliably documented account of his death. This distinction is essential.

2. Did he first preach among Jewish communities?

Early Christian traditions associate Matthew with preaching to Jewish audiences. Ancient writers, however, give different details about how long this mission lasted and where he went afterwards.

Church tradition also attributes the first Gospel to Matthew. Modern study of the Gospel’s authorship and composition calls for more care than treating every traditional attribution as an unquestioned historical fact.

3. What about the mysterious “Ethiopia”?

Many later traditions mention “Ethiopia”. That name should not automatically be equated with the modern African nation. Ancient and medieval geographical terms often covered different territories.

Some writers associate Matthew’s travels with lands south of the Caspian Sea; other traditions refer to Persia, Parthia or Syria. His exact route cannot be securely reconstructed.

Did you know?

Matthew is traditionally identified with the tax collector Levi named in Mark and Luke. The connection comes from Christian interpretation of Gospel accounts that use different names.

4. Where does the story of the princess and king come from?

A later legend, known partly through The Golden Legend, tells of a princess called Iphigenia who chose to dedicate her life to God after her conversion. A new ruler, Hirtacus, wanted to marry her against her wishes.

In the story, Matthew defended her decision, and the king ordered his death. It is a vivid account of faithfulness and freedom of conscience, but not reliable documentation of first-century events.

5. Do we know how Matthew died?

Traditions about Matthew’s martyrdom differ, and some early accounts disagree that he died as a martyr at all. There is no firm basis for certainty about the circumstances of his death.

That does not diminish his place among the saints. What matters most for Christian faith is his response to Jesus’ call and his witness as an apostle.